To Soothe - leastof2weevils
Stephen Maturin knew Jack Aubrey. He would even go so far as to claim that he knew the captain better than he knew himself. He didn't have the man's knowledge. No. Even after this long, he hardly understood the difference between a "ship" and a "boat" and... other such terms that he'd felt were all interchangable. Not to seamen, though. But he knew the man.
So he knew what this last month had been.
The thrill of success over the capture of the Acheron had dimmed, though he still heard the crew passing stories amongst themselves of Lucky Jack. New orders had come, far less interesting. Escorting merchants. It was a laudable task, but for weeks, there had been no sign of an enemy flag. No privateer patrolled these waters.
Every soul on board needed the rest, or so their doctor thought. A time to relax, enjoy their success, and mourn their loss. Injuries had to heal, and there had been many injuries. His own side still pained him now and then, though it was healing well. Mentally as well as physically, the whole of the crew needed to recover. Even their captain. But Stephen knew what his friend would not say.
Jack was bored.
Coming down from the high of a great victory, he wanted nothing more than to fly into another battle. The spirit moved anyone who sat with him for too long, who listened to him speak. He spoke often of Nelson, and how that man inspired many a patriot. And, Stephen reflected with a smile to himself, perhaps he was unpatriotic... but he could not imagine Nelson to be a more compelling man than Jack Aubrey.
As a doctor, concerned for the well-being of the ship's captain, he knew that what Jack needed most was to relax himself. Give his mind and body peace. As a friend, he knew the same thing, and friendship could provide what medicine, here, could not.
He smiled again to himself as he tested the sound of his cello, running the bow across one string and listening to the low hum of appreciation it gave. Tonight, he had not been directly invited to the captain's cabin, but he felt he could take the liberty to invite himself.
Music might help settle the fire in his dear companion.
So he knew what this last month had been.
The thrill of success over the capture of the Acheron had dimmed, though he still heard the crew passing stories amongst themselves of Lucky Jack. New orders had come, far less interesting. Escorting merchants. It was a laudable task, but for weeks, there had been no sign of an enemy flag. No privateer patrolled these waters.
Every soul on board needed the rest, or so their doctor thought. A time to relax, enjoy their success, and mourn their loss. Injuries had to heal, and there had been many injuries. His own side still pained him now and then, though it was healing well. Mentally as well as physically, the whole of the crew needed to recover. Even their captain. But Stephen knew what his friend would not say.
Jack was bored.
Coming down from the high of a great victory, he wanted nothing more than to fly into another battle. The spirit moved anyone who sat with him for too long, who listened to him speak. He spoke often of Nelson, and how that man inspired many a patriot. And, Stephen reflected with a smile to himself, perhaps he was unpatriotic... but he could not imagine Nelson to be a more compelling man than Jack Aubrey.
As a doctor, concerned for the well-being of the ship's captain, he knew that what Jack needed most was to relax himself. Give his mind and body peace. As a friend, he knew the same thing, and friendship could provide what medicine, here, could not.
He smiled again to himself as he tested the sound of his cello, running the bow across one string and listening to the low hum of appreciation it gave. Tonight, he had not been directly invited to the captain's cabin, but he felt he could take the liberty to invite himself.
Music might help settle the fire in his dear companion.